Preparation of sulphonylisothioureas

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a process for the preparation of a sulphonylisothiourea of the formula ##STR1## wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , X, Y, and Z are as defined herein, which comprises reacting a sulphonic acid amide of the formula 
     
         R.sup.1 --SO.sub.2 --NH.sub.2,                             (II) 
    
     or a metal salt thereof, with an N-heteroaryl-iminodithiocarbonic acid S,S-diester of the formula ##STR2## at a temperature between about 20° C. and 200° C. Intermediates and a process for their preparation are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a new process for the preparation of known sulphonylisothioureas and new intermediate products for this process.

It is known that sulphonylisothioureas are obtained when sulphonylthioureas are converted into salts and these are reacted with alkylating agents (compare EP-A No. 5,986).

Several reaction steps are required for the preparation of the sulphonylthioureas required as starting substances in this process: corresponding sulphonic acid amides are first reacted with carbon disulphide and potassium hydroxide to give dipotassium salts of sulphonyliminodithiocarbonic acids; reaction thereof with phosgene leads to sulphonylisothiocyanates, and corresponding sulphonylthioureas are obtained from the latter with amino compounds. This synthesis route to give sulphonylisothioureas requires a high expenditure on apparatus in some stages and in addition does not always lead to satisfactory results in respect of the yield and quality of the products.

It has now been found that sulphonylisothioureas of the general formula (I) ##STR3## in which R¹ represents an optionally substituted radical from the series comprising alkyl, aralkyl, aryl and heteroaryl,

R² represents in each case optionally substituted alkyl or aralkyl,

R³ represents hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, amino or an optionally substituted radical from the series comprising alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylamino and dialkylamino,

X represents nitrogen or a CH grouping,

Y represents nitrogen or a CR⁴ grouping, wherein

R⁴ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, alkyl, formyl, alkylcarbonyl or alkoxycarbonyl, and

Z represents nitrogen or a CR grouping, wherein

R⁵ represents hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, amino or an optionally substituted radical from the series comprising alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylamino and dialkylamino,

are obtained in a simple manner in high yields by a process in which sulphonic acid amides of the general formula (II)

    R.sup.1 --SO.sub.2 --NH.sub.2                              (II)

in which

R¹ has the abovementioned meaning,

--or metal salts of compounds of the formula (II)--are reacted with N-heteroaryl-iminodithiocarbonic acid S,S-diesters of the general formula (III) ##STR4## in which R², R³, X, Y and Z have the abovementioned meanings,

if appropriate in the presence of an acid acceptor and in the presence of a diluent at temperatures between 20° C. and 200° C.

Surprisingly, with the aid of the process according to the invention, it is possible to prepare the compounds of the formula (I) in high yields in a relatively simple manner.

If, for example, 2-fluoro-benzenesulphonamide and S,S-dimethyl N-(4,6-dimethoxy-pyrimidin-2-yl)-iminodithiocarbonate are used as starting substances, the course of the reaction can be outlined by the following equation: ##STR5## The sulphonic acid amides used as starting substances are defined generally by the formula (II). Preferably, in formula (II),

R¹ represents the radical ##STR6## wherein R⁶ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl (which is optionally substituted by halogen, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl), C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy (which is optionally substituted by halogen, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl) or C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl (which are optionally substituted by halogen, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl), or represents di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-aminosulphonyl, N-(C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy)-N-C₁ -C₄ -alkyl-aminosulphonyl, phenyl, phenoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl or di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino)-carbonyl and

R⁷ represents hydrogen or halogen,

or, preferably,

R¹ represents the radical ##STR7## wherein R⁸ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl (which is optionally substituted by halogen, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl), C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy (which is optionally substituted by halogen, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl) or C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl (which are optionally substituted by halogen, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl), or represents di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-aminosulphonyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl and

R⁹ represents hydrogen or halogen,

or, preferably,

R¹ represents the radical ##STR8## wherein R¹⁰ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl (which is optionally substituted by halogen), C₂ -C₄ -alkenyl (which is optionally substituted by halogen), C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy (which is optionally substituted by halogen), C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl (which are optionally substituted by halogen), di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-aminosulphonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-aminocarbonyl or dioxolanyl and

R¹¹ represents hydrogen or halogen,

or, preferably,

R¹ represents the radical ##STR9## wherein A represents nitrogen or a CH grouping,

R¹² represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl (which is optionally substituted by halogen, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkoxy), C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy (which is optionally substituted by halogen or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy), C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl (which are optionally substituted by halogen), di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-aminosulphonyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl and

R¹³ represents hydrogen or halogen,

or, preferably,

R¹ represents the radical ##STR10## wherein R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl (which is optionally substituted by halogen), C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy (which is optionally substituted by halogen), dioxolanyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl,

R¹⁵ represents hydrogen or halogen and

R¹⁶ represents hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, phenyl or (iso)quinolinyl,

or, preferably,

R¹ represents the radical ##STR11## wherein R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ represent C₁ -C₄ -alkyl,

or, preferably,

R¹ represents the radical ##STR12## wherein R¹⁹ represents hydrogen or methyl.

Starting substances which are particularly preferred are the compounds of the formula (II) in which

R¹ represents the radical ##STR13## wherein R⁶ represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylthio, methylsulphonyl, dimethylaminosulphonyl, N-methoxy-N-methylaminosulphonyl, phenyl, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl and

R⁷ represents hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine.

Examples which may be mentioned of the starting substances of the formula (II) are: 2-fluoro-, 2-chloro-, 2-bromo-, 2,5-dichloro-, 2,6-dichloro-, 2-methyl-, 2-trifluoromethyl-, 2-methoxy-, 2-difluoromethoxy-, 2-trifluoromethoxy-, 2-methylthio-, 2-methylsulphonyl-, 2-dimethylaminosulphonyl-, 2-(N-methoxy-N-methylamino)-sulphonyl, 2-phenyl-, 2-methoxycarbonyl- and 2-ethoxycarbonyl-benzenesulphonamide.

The starting substances of the formula (II) are known and/or can be prepared by processes which are known per se (compare U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,391; J. Org. Chem. 27 (1962), 1703-1709; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,310,346; 4,452,628; EP-A Nos. 44,808; 87,780; U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,711 and EP-A No. 271,780).

Formula (III) provides a general definition of the N-heteroaryl-iminodithiocarbonic acid S,S-diesters furthermore to be employed as starting substances. Preferably, in formula (III),

R² represents C₁ -C₆ -alkyl (which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, cyano, C₁ -C₂ -alkoxy, carboxyl, C₁ -C₂ -alkoxy-carbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C₁ -C₂ -alkylaminocarbonyl or di-(C₁ -C₂ -alkyl)-amino-carbonyl, or represents benzyl or phenethyl (which are optionally substituted in the phenyl part by fluorine, chlorine, C₁ -C₂ -alkyl, C₁ -C₂ -halogenoalkyl, C₁ -C₂ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₂ -halogenoalkoxy or C₁ -C₂ -alkoxycarbonyl),

R³ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkyl, C₁ -C₂ -alkoxy-C₁ -C₂ -alkyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkylthio, amino, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino, dimethylamino or diethylamino,

X represents nitrogen or a CH grouping,

Y represents nitrogen or a CR⁴ grouping, wherein

R⁴ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, methyl, formyl, acetyl, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl and

Z represents nitrogen or a CR grouping, wherein

R⁵ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino, dimethylaminoor diethylamino.

Particularly preferred starting substances are the compounds of the formula (III) in which

R² represents methyl, ethyl, carboxymethyl, methoxycarbonylmethyl, ethoxycarbonylmethyl or benzyl,

R³ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, difluoromethoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, amino, methylamino, ethylamino, dimethylamino or diethylamino,

X represents nitrogen or a CH grouping,

Y represents nitrogen or a CR⁴ grouping, wherein

R⁴ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine or methyl, and

Z represents nitrogen or a CR¹ grouping, wherein

R⁵ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, difluoromethoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, methylamino, ethylamino, dimethylamino or diethylamino.

Examples of the starting substances of the formula (III) are listed in the following Table 1. ##STR14##

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Examples of the starting substances of the                                     formula (III)                                                                  R.sup.2 R.sup.3    X       Y      Z                                            ______________________________________                                         CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3   N       CH     C--CH.sub.3                                  CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3   N       CH     C--OCH.sub.3                                 CH.sub.3                                                                               OCH.sub.3  N       CH     C--OCH.sub.3                                 CH.sub.3                                                                               OCH.sub.3  N       CH     C--Cl                                        CH.sub.3                                                                               H          N       CH     C--CH.sub.3                                  CH.sub.3                                                                               CF.sub.3   N       CH     C--OCH.sub.3                                 CH.sub.3                                                                               OCH.sub.3  N       CH     C--OCHF.sub.2                                CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3   N       CH     C--OCHF.sub.2                                CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3   N       N      C--CH.sub.3                                  CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3   N       N      C--OCH.sub.3                                 CH.sub.3                                                                               OCH.sub.3  N       N      C--OCH.sub.3                                 CH.sub.3                                                                               C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                           N       CH     C--OCH.sub.3                                 CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3   N       N      C--OC.sub.2 H.sub.5                          CH.sub.3                                                                               C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                           N       N      C--OCH.sub.3                                 CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3   N       N      C--Cl                                        CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3   CH      N      C--CH.sub.3                                  CH.sub.3                                                                               OCHF.sub.2 N       CH     C--OCHF.sub.2                                CH.sub.3                                                                               OCH.sub.3  CH      N      C--OCH.sub.3                                 CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3   N       CH     C--SCH.sub.3                                 CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3   N       CH     C--N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                         CH.sub.3                                                                               OCH.sub.3  N       CH     C--SCH.sub.3                                 CH.sub.3                                                                               OCH.sub.3  N       N      C--NHC.sub.2 H.sub.5                         CH.sub.3                                                                               OC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          N       N      C--NHCH.sub.3                                CH.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3   CH      CH     C--CH.sub.3                                  ______________________________________                                    

The starting substances of the formula (III) are not yet known from the literature.

The new N-heteroaryl-iminodithiocarbonic acid S,S-diesters of the general formula (III) are obtained by a process in which aminohetarenes of the general formula (IV) ##STR15## in which R³, X, Y and Z have the abovementioned meanings,

--or metal salts of compounds of the formula (IV)--are reacted with carbon disulphide in the presence of a strong base, such as, for example, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, and in the presence of a diluent, such as, for example, dimethylformamide and/or water, at temperatures between -20° C. and +50° C., and the products are further reacted in situ with alkylating agents of the general formula (V)

    R.sup.2 --X.sup.1                                          (V)

in which

R² has the abovementioned meaning and

X¹ represents chlorine, bromine or iodine, at temperatures between 0° C. and 100° C. The products of the formula (III) obtained as crystals after dilution with water can be isolated by filtration with suction.

Formula (IV) provides a general definition of the aminohetarenes to be used as intermediate products. In formula (IV), R³, X, Y and Z preferably or in particular have those meanings which have already been mentioned above as preferred or as particularly preferred for R³, X, Y and Z in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (III) according to the invention.

Examples which may be mentioned of the compounds of the formula (IV) are: 2-amino-4,6-dimethyl-pyrimidine, -4-methyl-6-methoxy-pyrimidine, -4,6-dimethoxy-pyrimidine, -4-methyl-6-ethoxy-pyrimidine, -4-chloro-6-methoxy-pyrimidine, -4-methyl-pyrimidine, -4-chloro-6-methyl-pyrimidine, -4-trifluoromethyl-6-methoxy-pyrimidine, -4-methoxy-6-difluoromethoxy-pyrimidine, -4-methyl-6-difluoromethoxy-pyrimidine, -4,6-bis-difluoro-methoxy-pyrimidine, -4-chloro-6-ethoxy-pyrimidine, -4,6-diethoxy-pyrimidine, -4,5-dichloro-6-methyl-pyrimidine, -4-methyl-5-chloro-6-methoxy-pyrimidine, -4,6-dichloro-pyrimidine, -4-ethyl-6-methoxy-pyrimidine, -5-chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-pyrimidine and -4,6-bis-trifluoromethyl-pyrimidine, and furthermore 2-amino-4,6-dimethyl-s-triazine, -4-methyl-6-methoxy-striazine, -4,6-dimethoxy-s-triazine, -4-ethyl-6-methoxy-s-triazine and -4-methyl-6-ethoxy-s-triazine.

The aminohetarenes of the formula (IV) are known and/or can be prepared by processes which are known per se (compare Chem. Pharm. Bull. 11 (1963), 1382; U.S. Pat. No. 4,299,960; EP-A Nos. 121,082; 125,205; 126,711; 152,378 and 158,594).

Formula (V) provides a general definition of the alkylating agents furthermore required as intermediate products. In formula (V), R² preferably or in particular has that meaning which has already been mentioned above as preferred or as particularly preferred for R² in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (III) according to the invention, and X¹ also preferably represents chlorine, bromine or iodine.

Examples which may be mentioned of the alkylating agents of the formula (V) are: methyl and ethyl chloride, bromide and iodide, chloro- and bromo-acetic acid and the methyl and ethyl esters thereof and benzyl chloride and bromide.

The compounds of the formula (V) are known organic synthesis chemicals.

The process according to the invention for the preparation of the sulphonylisothioureas of the formula (I) is preferably carried out using diluents. Possible diluents here are virtually all the customary organic solvents. These include, preferably, aliphatic and aromatic, optionally halogenated hydrocarbons, such as pentane, hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, petroleum ether, benzine, ligroin, benzene, toluene, xylene, methylene chloride, ethylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene and o-dichlorobenzene, ethers, such as diethyl ether, dibutyl ether, glycol dimethyl ether, diglycol dimethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran and dioxane, alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol, sec.-butanol, tert.-butanol, pentanol, isopentanol, sec.-pentanol and tert.-pentanol, ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isopropyl ketone and methyl isobutyl ketone, esters, such as methyl and ethyl acetate, nitriles, such as, for example, acetonitrile and propionitrile, amides, such as, for example, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide and N-methyl-pyrrolidone, and dimethyl sulphoxide, tetramethylene sulphone and hexamethylphosphoric acid triamide.

Acid acceptors which can be used in the process according to the invention are all the acid-binding agents which can usually be employed for such reactions. Preferred possible acid-binding agents are alkali metal hydroxides, such as, for example, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, such as, for example, calcium hydroxide, alkali metal carbonates and alcoholates, such as the methylate, ethylate, propylate, isopropylate, butylate, isobutylate, sec.-butylate and tert.-butylate of sodium and potassium, and sodium hydride, potassium hydride and calcium hydride.

The process according to the invention is in general carried out at temperatures between 20° C. and 200° C., preferably between 60° C. and 140° C., and in general under normal pressure.

For carrying out the process according to the invention, the starting substances can be employed in various molar ratios. An excess of one or the other of the components, however, does not provide substantial advantages. The starting substances are therefore preferably employed in approximately equimolar amounts.

The starting substances can be brought together in any desired sequence. In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, a metal salt of the compound of the formula (II) is first produced from a sulphonic acid amide of the formula (II) and one of the abovementioned acid acceptors, preferably in the presence of one of the abovementioned diluents. An N-heteroaryliminodithiocarbonic acid S,S-diester of the formula (III) is then added to this product and the reaction mixture is stirred at the particular required temperature until the reaction has ended.

Working up can be carried out by customary methods. In general, after cooling to temperatures of between 0° C. and 20° C., the mixture is acidified with an aqueous proton acid, such as, for example, hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid, and extracted with an organic solvent which is practically immiscible with water, such as, for example, methylene chloride. The organic phase is concentrated and the product of the formula (I) remaining in the residue is crystallized, for example by trituration with alcohol, and isolated by filtration with suction.

The sulphonylisothioureas of the formula (I) to be prepared by the process according to the invention can be used as herbicides (compare EP-A No. 5,986).

PREPARATION EXAMPLES EXAMPLE 1 ##STR16##

13.0 g (0.05 mol) of S,S-dimethyl N-(4,6-dimethoxy-s-triazin-2-yl)-iminodithiocarbonate are added to a suspension of the sodium salt of 2-chloro-benzenesulphonamide (0.05 mol) in 80 ml of dioxane at 20° C. and the reaction mixture is stirred at 90° C. to 100° C. for 15 hours. After cooling to 20° C., it is acidified with 2N hydrochloric acid and extracted with methylene chloride. The methylene chloride solution is concentrated, the residue is triturated with ethanol and the product obtained in this way as crystals is isolated by filtration with suction.

3.6 g (68% of theory) of N'-(4,6-dimethoxy-s-triazin-2-yl)-N"-(2-chloro-phenylsulphonyl)-S-methyl-isothiourea of melting point 159° C. are obtained.

Starting substances of the formula (III) EXAMPLE (III-1) ##STR17##

12.5 g (0.22 mol) of potassium hydroxide powder are added in portions to a mixture of 15.4 g (0.10 mol) of 2-amino-4,6-dimethoxy-s-triazine, 8.5 g (0.11 mol) of carbon disulphide and 80 ml of dimethylformamide, during which the internal temperature is kept below 35° C. The reaction mixture is then stirred at 45° C. for 30 minutes. 31 g (0.22 mol) of methyl iodide are subsequently added dropwise, with further stirring, and stirring is continued at 40° C. for a further 60 minutes. After cooling, the mixture is diluted with 250 ml of water and the product obtained in this way as crystals is isolated by filtration with suction.

23.6 g (90% of theory) of S,S-dimethyl N-(4,6-dimethoxy-s-triazin-2-yl)-iminodithiocarbonate of melting point 123° C. are obtained.

EXAMPLE (III-2) ##STR18##

S,S-dimethyl N-(4-methoxy-6-methyl-s-triazin-2-yl)-iminodithiocarbonate, of the above formula, is obtained analogously to Example (III-1) in equally high yield. Melting point: 78° C.

It will be appreciated that the instant specification and claims are set forth by way of illustration and not limitation, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

I claim:
 1. A process for the preparation of a sulphonylisothiourea of the formula ##STR19## in which R¹ represents an optionally substituted radical from the group consisting of alkyl, aralkyl, aryl and heteroaryl,R² represents in each case optionally substituted alkyl or aralkyl, R³ represents hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, amino or an optionally substituted radical from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylamino and dialkylamino, X represents nitrogen or a CH grouping, Y represents nitrogen or a CR⁴ grouping, whereinR⁴ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, alkyl, formyl, alkylcarbonyl or alkoxycarbonyl, and Z represents nitrogen or a CR⁵ grouping, whereinR⁵ represents hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, amino or an optionally substituted radical from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylamino and dialkylamino,which comprises reacting a sulphonic acid amide of the formula

    R.sup.1 --SO.sub.2 --NH.sub.2,                             (II)

or a metal salt thereof, with an N-heteroaryl-iminodithiocarbonic acid S,S-diester of the formula ##STR20## at a temperature between about 20° C. and 200° C.
 2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the temperature is between about 60° C. and 140° C.
 3. The process according to claim 1, in whichR¹ represents the radical ##STR21## wherein R⁶ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl (which is optionally substituted by halogen, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl), C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy (which is optionally substituted by halogen, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl) or C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl (which are optionally substituted by halogen, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl), or di-(C₁ -C₄ -aminosulphonyl, N represents (C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy)-N-C₁ -C₄ -alkyl-aminosulphonyl, phenyl, phenoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl or di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino)-carbonyl andR⁷ represents hydrogen or halogen,or R¹ represents the radical ##STR22## wherein R⁸ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl (which is optionally substituted by halogen, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl), C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy (which is optionally substituted by halogen, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl) or C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl (which are optionally substituted by halogen, cyano, C₁ ∝C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl), or represents di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-aminosulphonyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl andR⁹ represents hydrogen or halogen,or R¹ represents the radical ##STR23## wherein R¹⁰ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl (which is optionally substituted by halogen), C₂ -C₄ -alkenyl (which is optionally substituted by halogen), C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy (which is optionally substituted by halogen), C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl (which are optionally substituted by halogen), di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-aminosulphonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-aminocarbonyl or dioxolanyl andR¹¹ represents hydrogen or halogen,or R¹ represents the radical ##STR24## wherein A represents nitrogen or a CH grouping,R¹² represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl (which is optionally substituted by halogen, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkoxy), C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy (which is optionally substituted by halogen or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl (which are optionally substituted by halogen), di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-aminosulphonyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl and R¹³ represents hydrogen or halogen,or R¹ represents the radical ##STR25## wherein R¹⁴ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl (which is optionally substituted by halogen), C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy (which is optionally alkoxy-carbonyl,R¹⁵ represents hydrogen or halogen and R¹⁶ represents hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, phenyl or (iso)quinolinyl,or R¹ represents the radical ##STR26## wherein R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ represent C₁ -C₄ -alkyl,or R¹ represents the radical ##STR27## wherein R¹⁹ represents hydrogen or methyl.
 4. The process according to claim 1, in whichR¹ represents the radical ##STR28## wherein R⁶ represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylthio, methylsulphonyl, dimethylaminosulphonyl, N-methoxy-N-methyl-aminosulphonyl, phenyl, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl andR⁷ represents hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine.
 5. The process according to claim 1, in whichR² represents C₁ -C₆ -alkyl (which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, cyano, C₁ -C₂ -alkoxy, carboxyl, C₁ -C₂ -alkoxy-carbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C₁ -C₂ -alkylaminocarbonyl or di-(C₁ -C₂ C -alkyl)-amino-carbonyl, or represents benzyl or phenethyl (which are optionally substituted in the phenyl part by fluorine, chlorine, C₁ -C₂ -alkyl, C₁ -C₂ -halogenoalkyl, C₁ -C₂ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₂ -halogenoalkoxy or C₁ -C₂ -alkoxycarbonyl), R³ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-C₁ -C₂ -alkyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkylthio, amino, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino, dimethylamino or diethylamino, X represents nitrogen or a CH grouping, Y represents nitrogen or a CR⁴ grouping, whereinR⁴ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, methyl, formyl, acetyl, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl and Z represents nitrogen or a CR⁵ grouping, whereinR⁵ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino, dimethylamino or diethylamino.
 6. The process according to claim 1, in whichR² represents methyl, ethyl, carboxymethyl, methoxycarbonylmethyl, ethoxycarbonylmethyl or benzyl, R³ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, difluoromethoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, amino, methylamino, ethylamino, dimethylamino or diethylamino, X represents nitrogen or a CH grouping, Y represents nitrogen or a CR⁴ grouping, whereinR⁴ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine or methyl, and Z represents nitrogen or a CR⁵ grouping, whereinR⁵ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, difluoromethoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, methylamino, ethylamino, dimethylamino or diethylamino. 